There is No CRYING in Baseball BUT there is in EDUCATION! Here’s an activity to get you started!

THE MOMENT

“OK, so I’ll probably cry.”

The students looked at me, their faces reflecting elements of surprise.

“I’ve read this book many times, yet, I still get those ‘feels’.  You know the feeling, like when your cheeks tingle or feel warm, and your eyes get teary.”

“Great books make you feel that way,” I added.

And so, as expected, I cried.

I felt their eyes on me.

“Listen, I promise this gets better,” I said.

It did get better.

THE REALITY

And so this was me last month, always me with the kids – legally my students- but really my kids now and forever.

Teaching and learning are days of mixed emotions and energy expenditures. We expect it and learn to manage it. Yet, at the end of the day, students need to know that emotions are okay and that books help us to experience them safely.

With a book, you are reflecting on someone else’s story but really you are connecting to your own. You can hide behind the character or you can stand out in front and declare something that reveals part of yourself.

THE LESSON

The book I read is called, The Big Little Book of Happy Sadness by Colin Thompson.

I don’t remember how it first came into my possession or why I purchased it. It was not on the usual book lists. But it is, FANTASTIC. The premise is a young boy lives alone with his grandmother. It is clear that they are very distant with each other. One day the little boy sees a dog at the dog shelter. The boy and the dog bond silently with each other. It is the dog’s “last day.”  The boy has an hour to run home and convince his grandmother to get the dog before the shelter closes. The dog speaks his thoughts to the reader about the day closing and the possibility that it is his last. (This of course is where I breakdown). Anyway…the story develops in the most beautiful way.

Discussion is often lively! Many students can connect to the family structure in this book, the distance that happens. Often we talk about how something like a dog brings people together and how regular dogs and therapy dogs do serve that purpose. So many students have pet stories and related stories in general about happy moments and sad moments in their lives.

THE WRITING CONNECTION 

I love writing with students so I have had them respond by creating their own mini-book: “My   Big Little Book of Happy Sadness”.

Mini-books are folded out of 1 sheet of paper.

Here are the directions.

Make your own version of the book to have an example for students.

Here is mine!

 (front cover)

(happy moment)

(sad moment)

(happy moment)

(sad moment)

(happy moment)

(back – about the author)

THE WRITING EXTENSION 

These little books are great as a stepping off point for future writing. Each happy or sad moment can be expanded into longer pieces of writing.  You learn a lot about students with these little books.

THE VIDEO PAIRING

I often pair the book with this video. It is an interesting way to solve the main problem in the book.

THE ENDING 🙂

I hoped you’ve enjoyed this lesson idea. I also hope that you have not gone through too many tissues. So yes, it’s OK to keep crying, baseball is a topic for another day!

Until Next Time,

Coach Clark